Great Glazing: University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts

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The basics: The University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts—a four-acre complex of six buildings—was created after the University received sizable donations, including $175 million dollars from filmmaker George Lucas. Lucas donated $75 million for the construction project and $100 million for the School of Cinematic Arts endowment.

When Lucas made his donation, he specifically requested the new campus for the School of Cinematic Arts reflect the historic Mediterranean style prevalent in 1929, the year USC adopted film studies as part of its curriculum. Another design objective for the construction of the building was to create a structure that would last for generations. The design team chose hot-rolled steel windows to help accomplish both objectives.

The glass and systems: The University chose Hope’s Jamestown175 Series hot-rolled solid steel fixed windows, with true divided lite muntin bars, installing about 200 arched and rectangular windows, in three construction phases for the Cinematic Arts school. Architects for the project also specified 5000 series and Jamestown175 doors from Hope’s.

Even before the recently-completed final phase began, the project received the Grand Prize at the 41st annual Los Angeles Architectural Awards.